Attachment for tables



Oct. 15, 1940. M, B. PYLE 2,217,992

ATTACHMENT FOR TABLES Filed Oct. 13. 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 grime/whom ffi 6 Marie fir uce @de 06t- 15, 1940. B. PYLE 2,217,992

ATTACHMENT FOR TABLES Filed Oct. 1:51 1935' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F n M Patented Oct. 15, 1940 MarieBruce Pyle, Dallas, Tex. I Application October 13, 1939, Serial No. 299,229

8 Claims. (01. s11 -s1 This invention relates'to new and useful improvements in attachments for tables.

The invention'particularly relates to bridge or.

card tables, of the folding type, and is animprovement on my former Patent No. 2,106,436, I

issued January 25, 1938.

One object of this invention is to provide, im proved means, which is readily applicable to the ordinary folding type card table, for supporting and holding score cards and other incidental articles not involved in actual play of the particular game, whereby the top of said table is kept clear for playing purposes. i

An important object of the invention is to pro:

vide an improved attachment for card tables in I the form of a shelf or sub-deck which is attached to, and carried by, the folding legs of the table,

whereby when the legs are in a folded position,

the shelf is substantially out of sight adjacent the underside of, the table; movement of the legs from their folded position automatically moving the shelf away from the topsoas to provide a support for various articles, such as score cards, pencils, etc.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved sup-porting shelf or sub-deck which may be readily attached to an ordinary card table without changing the construction of said table and without interfering in any way with the folding, or extending of the usual pivoted legs.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary shelf or deck, of the character described, together with-a plurality of pivoted trays which are arranged to' be'swung outwardly so as to receive tall articles, such as bottles, glasses, and the like, whereby such articles'do not interfere with the play or with the movements of the players. 40 A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention. a

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the; accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a card table 50 having an attachment, constructed in accordance with the invention, applied thereto, 1

Figure 2 is an enlarged view,"partly in eleva tion and partly in section, showing one of th table legs in a folded position, v 55 Figure 3 is a view, similar toFigure'z, showing one of "the table legs in a partially extended position, g

Figure 4 is an enlarged side elevation of one corner of the table, withthe leg of said table in its extended or table supporting position,

Figure 5 is a'transverse, vertical, sectional view taken onthe line 5-5 of Figure 4, v v Figure 6 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view takenon the line 6--6 of Figure 4,

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 1, illusm trating a modified form of the invention,

' Figure 8 is an enlarged, transverse, vertical,

sectional view, showing theconnection between one of the table legs and the auxiliary shelf, with 'theleg in its folded position, 15 Figure 9 is a view, similar to Figure 8, with the leg in an extended or vertical position, I Figure 10 'is" a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line l 0-l 0 of Figure 9, and

Figure '11 is a plan'view of, one corner of the Q0 auxiliary shelf, the table top being broken away tomore clearlyshow the pivoted supporting tray.

In the drawings, the numeral l0 designates a card ort bridge table of the usual construction. 25 The table includes the substantially square frame H which has the flat'top 12 secured thereto in' any suitable manner. The frame It forms a I depending skirt which surrounds the table top.

The supporting legs l3 of the table have their "30 upper ends pivotally mounted oninwardly extending brackets 14 (Figures 2 and 3)," which brackets are secured to the inner side of the framel I. Foifbracing the legs I3 so as to mainv I tain them inja vertical position, a brace I5 is provided, and this brace includes a pair of links [6 which are'pivoted to each other at [1. One

of the linkshas its free end pivoted to the frame ll of thetable, while the other link has its free f end pivoted to the table leg at a point spaced 40 from the extremity of said leg. The particular brace l5, which is illustrated in the drawings,

is standard construction and forms no part of the present invention. Also, the particular construction of "the tabletop, as well as the pivotal mounting of the legs 13, are subject to variation. "In carrying out the invention, a substantially square shelf or sub-deck 20 is arranged to fit within the confines of the frame I l. The shelf is made considerably smaller in size than the table top l2 so that when it is moved into its raised position adjacent the underside of said top, as is shown in dotted lines in Figure 5, its outer edges are spaced from the frame H and from the legs 13; The edges of the shelf 20 may be recessed as shown at 2 I, whereby when the shelf is in its lowered position, as will be explained, said shelf will not interfere with a person sitting at the table.

The shelf 20 is arranged to be secured to, and carried by, the table legs 13 and for fastening said shelf to the legs, each corner of the shelf has a bracket 23 secured thereto. Each bracket is in the form of a flat bar which has a width substantially equal to the thickness of the shelf and since all of the brackets are similar in construction, a description of one will, suffice. Each bracket has one end fastened to the edge of the shelf at the corner thereof by screws, or other, The outer end of the bracket projects" beyond the corner of the shelf so as to exend adjacent to one of the table legs I3, as is clearly fasteners.

shown in Figure 6. Each bracket is provided with an elongate, horizontal slot 24, and an elongate headed screw 25 passes through the slot 24 of each bracket and is screwed into the adjacent table leg l3, whereby the bracket is secured to the leg. A coiled spring, or other suitable spacer 26 is interposed between the outer surface of each bracket 23 and theleg l3 and constantly urges the bracket away frorn'the leg. With this arrangement the shelf is maintained in a central position relative to the table top, whereby the shelf may be moved 'upwardly adjacent the underside of the table top I 2 without the support.- ing shelf striking thebrackets l4 to which the legs [3 are pivoted. f

From the above, it will be seen that the auxiliary shelf or sub-deck 20 is, carried by the table legs l3 and is secured thereto by means of the screws 25 which pass through the slots 24 in the brackets 23. When the table legs" l3 are swung to their folded or horizontal position and are abutting the inner surface of the ,frame lLlas shown in Figure 2, the screws 25 have moved inwardly of the slots 24, with the result that the shelf 20 has been raised,.as isshown in Figure 2. The shelf is recessed at 20a adjacent the inner side of each bracket to permit the head'of'the screw 25 to move inwardly as thescrew moves to the inner end of the slot. When the legs 13 are swung downwardly to a vertical position, the screws 25 travel toward the outer end of their respective slots 24, thereby lowering the: shelf 29 to space said shelf below the table top I2, as is shown in Figure 4. Manifestly, since the shelf is spaced from the top of the table, various" articles, such as score cards, pencils, and other articles not involved in the play of the game which is in progress, may be placed on said shelf, whereby the table top may be kept clear for the play. The shelf does'not in any way interferewiththe normal operation of the folding legs 13, and therefore, can be readily applied to anyftable of this type without changingthe construction of'said table. To apply the shelf to the ordinary table, it is only necessary to pass the screws 25 through the slots 24 of the brackets 23 and secure said screws to the table legs I3. After this is done, the shelf will be automatically raised and lowered as the legs are moved from their folded onhorizontal position to a vertical position, and .vice

'versa. It is noted that the shelf is of a sufficiently small size to permit the legsfl3 to be folded to a horizontal position, in which position, said legs are adjacent the underside .of the tabletop and between the outer edges of the shelf and,the framell. 1

In Figures 7 to 11, a slightly modified form of the invention is shown. In this form, an angular skirt 3!] islsecured to each corner of the=table bolts 32a secure each bracket to the shelf.

and depends below the frame ll thereof. An auxiliary shelf 20', similar to the shelf 20, is adapted to be mounted beneath the table top l2. The shelf 20' is not provided with the brackets 23, as is illustrated in the first form, but instead, elongate angular brackets 3| are substituted therefor. Each bracket has its horizontal portion 31a underlying the shelf at one corner thereof while its vertical portion forms an upstanding flange 32 which projects above the shelf and extends beyond thecorner thereof so as to be disposed adjacent the leg l3 of the table. Suitable The upstanding flange 32 of each bracket is provided of 'the-sl'ielf-20, the slots 33 are located contiguoils totheinnersides of the supporting legs I3, whereby fastening screws 34 may be passed 1 through the slots and threaded into said legs to connect the shelfto the legs. A coiled spring or other "spacer35 isinterposed between each leg l3 and. the o'uter surface of the flange 32 of the adjacent bracket (Figure whereby the flange may, move upwardly within the frame ll of the table without striking the supports I4 for the legs 13 or, without striking the, legs themselves (Figured); t

Manifestlyfl the operation of this form is substantially thefsame as the first form, with the shelf being raised and lowered through the medium ofthe screws 34 and slots 33 when the table legs l3 are swung. When the supporting legs l3 are in their extended position, the shelf 28' is spaced downwardly from the top of the table, whereby-persons sitting at the table may readily place and remove articles from said shelf.

It has-been found that it is not practical to increase the spacing and to lower the shelf to too great an extent as said shelf might interfere with persons sitting at the table. Therefore, the space between the tabletop and the shelf may not be sufiicient to support tall glasses or bottles onsaidshelf 20 and for this purpose, a plurality of pivoted supporting trays 36 may be provided. It is? preferable that one of the: trays be provided at each corner of the table, and since all are constructedalikebadescription of one will suffice.

By observing'Figure, 11, it will be seen that each tray'has a general-curved shape and is provided with. an elongate extension 31. The inner end of the extension 31' overlies the top of the shelf 20and is pivoted to said shelf by one of the 'bolts .32a"whi'ch secure the brackets 32 to the shelf. Manifestly, the tray 36 may be swung inwardly over the shelf 20', in which position the tray is entirely concealed beneath 1 the top of the table. When the tray is swung outwardly to the position shown in Figure 11, one longitudinal edge of the extension 3'! abuts the vertical edge of .tlieskirt 30 which is secured to the frame of the table; To support "the outer or free end of the tray, such outer end is provided with a rib or leg 39, which is adapted'to seat within a horizontal groove40 formed in the outer surface of the skirt 3!]. Thereception of the rib on the outer end of the tray within the groove 40 provides a friction lock for holding the tray 36 in its outer position and 'also acts to support said tray. Manif'es'tly; other means could be employed for supporting? the outer end of the tray 36 and the invention is not to be limited to the rib and slot arrangementdisclosed herein. The tray may have a suitable ash tray 4| mounted therein, and also aci-rcularrecess 42 may be provided for receiving and supporting glasses, bottles, or the like.

From the foregoing, it will be obvious that the shelf 20, which has the supporting trays 36 pivoted thereto, may be readily applied to the ordinary card table of the folding type. Since the legs [3 of the card table are connected to the shelf 20 through the medium of the screws 34 and the slots 33, it will be evident that the shelf is automatically raised and lowered with relation to the table top when the legs l3 are swung. When said legs are in a vertical position to support the table, the shelf 20' has been lowered, whereby any desired article may be supported thereon. If it is desired to use the trays 36, it is only necessary toswing the same outwardly to the position shown in Figure 11, whereby the outer ends 39 of said trays may be engaged within the grooves 46 of the skirts 30. In such position, the trays 3B are readily accessible for supporting any desired articles. It is pointed out that the height of the flanges 32 which are secured to the top of the shelf 26 at the corners thereof is suficient to permit the trays 36 to clear the underside of the table top, when said trays are swung inwardly on their pivot 32a.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a table having folding legs at its corners with the upper ends of said legs pivoted to the table, of an auxiliary shelf having a shape substantially conforming to the shape of the table top and underlying said top with its corners adjacent the legs of the table, each corner of the shelf having a lateral slot therein, and means extending through the slot and secured to the adjacent table leg, whereby the shelf is supported by said legs and is arranged to be moved vertically with relation to the table top when the legs are swung.

2. The combination with a table having folding legs adapted to be folded beneath the table top, of an auxiliary shelf having substantially the same shape as said top and underlying the same, and a slot and pin connection between each corner of the shelf and the leg adjacent said corner; whereby said shelf is supported by the legs and is adapted to be moved vertically when the legs are swung.

3. The combination with a table having folding legs adapted to be folded beneath the table top, of an auxiliary shelf underlying the table top with its corners adjacent the legs of the table, a supporting bracket having a lateral slot therein secured to each corner of the shelf, a pin extending through each slot and fastened in the adjacent table leg, whereby the shelf is connected with said legs and is arranged to move vertically when the legs are swung, and a coiled spring surrounding each pin and confined between the table leg and the bracket for spacing the bracket from the leg and for positioning the shelf centrally beneath the table.

4. The combination with a table having folding legs adapted to be folded beneath the table top, of an auxiliary shelf underlying the table top with its corners adjacent the legs of the table, a supporting bracket having a lateral slot therein secured to the edge of the shelf at each corner of an auxiliary shelf underlying the table top with its corners adjacent the legs of the table, an angular supporting bracket having a lateral slot therein secured to the shelf at each corner thereof, and. a pin extending through the slot of each bracket and fastened in the adjacent leg, whereby the shelf is connected to the table legs and is arranged to be moved upwardly-into close proximity with the table top when the legsare swung to a folded position, said shelf being moved downwardly away from the table top when the legs are swung to an extended position.

6. The combination with a table having folding legs adapted to be folded beneath the table top, of an auxiliary shelf underlying the table top with its corners adjacent the legs of the table, a supporting bracket having a lateral slot therein secured to the edge of the shelf at each corner thereof, the bracket extending beyond the corner, a pin extending through the slot of each bracket and fastened in the adjacent leg, whereby the shelf is connected to the table legs and is arranged to be moved upwardly into close proximity with the table top when the legs are swung to a folded position, said shelf being moved downwardly away from the table top when the legs are swung to an extended position, and a coiled spring surrounding each pin and confined between the table leg and the bracket for spacing the bracket from the leg and for positioning the shelf centrally beneath the table.

7 The combination with a table having folding legs adapted to be folded beneath the table top, of an auxiliary shelf underlying the table top with its corners adjacent the legs of the table, an angular supporting bracket having a lateral slot therein secured to the shelf at each corner thereof, a pin extending through the slot of each bracket and fastened in the adjacent leg, whereby the shelf is connected to the table legs and is arranged to be moved upwardly into close proximity with the table top when the legs are swung to a folded position, said shelf being moved downwardly away from the table top when the legs are swung to an extended position, and a coiled spring surrounding each pin and confined between the table leg and the bracket for spacing the bracket from the leg and for positioning the V shelf centrally beneath the table.

8. The combination with a table having folding legs adapted to be folded beneath the table top; of an auxiliary shelf underlying the table top with its corners adjacent the legs of the table, a supporting bracket having a lateral slot therein secured to each corner of the shelf, a pin extending through each slot and fastened in the adjacent table leg, whereby the shelf is connected with said legs and is arranged to move vertically when the legs are swung, and resilient means confined between each table leg and the bracket connected thereto for spacing said bracket from said leg and for positioning the shelf centrally beneath the table.

MARIE BRUCE PYLE. 

